Get Ready to fly out of Riverton

(Riverton, Wyo.) - Momentum seems to be building for an announcement of
additional air service at Riverton Regional Airport this fall.
On Tuesday, Riverton City Administrator Steven Weaver was scheduled to
address the county commissioners about their pledge for the revenue
guarantee that will be offered to an airline to fly here. "We're getting
close to when we'll need it, and I wanted to visit with them and reinforce
their pledge," Weaver said after his appearance was postponed.
The cities of Lander and Riverton have each pledged $200,000 toward the
effort that would include a like county contribution as well. The effort
has already garnered a $1.2 million contribution from the WYDOT Aeronautics
Enhanced Air Service fund and a $400,000 federal Department of
Transportation grant. The subsidy would only be used if the sale of airline
tickets did not meet an airline's cost of service here, but the entire
amount must be banked before service would begin.
"Negotiations are ongoing with our FAST (Fremont Air Service Team)
committee to retain Great Lakes Airlines and secure other service," Weaver
said, noting that the group has met with officials from Denver Air
Connection, a subsidiary commercial passenger airline of Key Lime Air. Key
Lime presently serves Riverton Regional with twice a day freight flights
for United Parcel Service. The Denver Air Connection recently inked a deal
to return commercial air service to Sheridan County Airport.
The city and county, the Riverton Airport Board, and local businesses have
supported Great Lakes Airline's petition to the Federal Aviation
Administration to return service to Riverton and Worland with 19 passenger
aircraft. Currently, the airline's Beech 1900 airframes are configured for
only nine passengers due to restrictions placed on how many hours are
needed for a pilot and co-pilot. The restrictions resulted in a nationwide
pilot shortage that has impacted every regional air carrier and resulted in
flight cancellations and delays across the board, including locally.
The groups have also supported the extension of Worland's Essential Air
Service
guarantee, which the Department of Transportation is proposing to
eliminate. Riverton and Worland are connected by Great Lakes flights and if
Worland loses its EIS funding, Riverton's airport could be negatively
impacted.
IDEA, Inc. Executive Director Kevin Kershisnik confirmed the negotiations
Thursday morning, along with other options still under study. "The talks
are progressing and moving forward," he said. "We're looking at a fall
target date."
*Feature Photo: A Denver Air Dornier 30 passenger jet takes on passengers
at Sheridan County Airport earlier this winter. Service to Sheridan was
restored on November 19th. (Pitchengine Communities) *
#county10 #news

Get Ready to fly out of Riverton

(Riverton, Wyo.) - Momentum seems to be building for an announcement of
additional air service at Riverton Regional Airport this fall.
On Tuesday, Riverton City Administrator Steven Weaver was scheduled to
address the county commissioners about their pledge for the revenue
guarantee that will be offered to an airline to fly here. "We're getting
close to when we'll need it, and I wanted to visit with them and reinforce
their pledge," Weaver said after his appearance was postponed.
The cities of Lander and Riverton have each pledged $200,000 toward the
effort that would include a like county contribution as well. The effort
has already garnered a $1.2 million contribution from the WYDOT Aeronautics
Enhanced Air Service fund and a $400,000 federal Department of
Transportation grant. The subsidy would only be used if the sale of airline
tickets did not meet an airline's cost of service here, but the entire
amount must be banked before service would begin.
"Negotiations are ongoing with our FAST (Fremont Air Service Team)
committee to retain Great Lakes Airlines and secure other service," Weaver
said, noting that the group has met with officials from Denver Air
Connection, a subsidiary commercial passenger airline of Key Lime Air. Key
Lime presently serves Riverton Regional with twice a day freight flights
for United Parcel Service. The Denver Air Connection recently inked a deal
to return commercial air service to Sheridan County Airport.
The city and county, the Riverton Airport Board, and local businesses have
supported Great Lakes Airline's petition to the Federal Aviation
Administration to return service to Riverton and Worland with 19 passenger
aircraft. Currently, the airline's Beech 1900 airframes are configured for
only nine passengers due to restrictions placed on how many hours are
needed for a pilot and co-pilot. The restrictions resulted in a nationwide
pilot shortage that has impacted every regional air carrier and resulted in
flight cancellations and delays across the board, including locally.
The groups have also supported the extension of Worland's Essential Air
Service
guarantee, which the Department of Transportation is proposing to
eliminate. Riverton and Worland are connected by Great Lakes flights and if
Worland loses its EIS funding, Riverton's airport could be negatively
impacted.
IDEA, Inc. Executive Director Kevin Kershisnik confirmed the negotiations
Thursday morning, along with other options still under study. "The talks
are progressing and moving forward," he said. "We're looking at a fall
target date."
*Feature Photo: A Denver Air Dornier 30 passenger jet takes on passengers
at Sheridan County Airport earlier this winter. Service to Sheridan was
restored on November 19th. (Pitchengine Communities) *
#county10 #news